News Corp Australia
First published 14 Apr 2025, 5:00am
It’s got a rich history and now this stunningly renovated Mylor homestead is ready for another family to embrace the very best in Hills living.
Vendors Gemma and Richard bought the iconic property, known as Warrakilla, in 2019, attracted by the stunning lifestyle it offered their young family.
“We were looking for a weekender and went for a drive up, and the second we drove up the driveway we were completely swept away by the property,” Gemma says.
“We moved from the beach to the Hills – it was by chance we bought it and we were just caught up in the magic of the property. It wasn’t a planned move, Warrakilla just drew us up here.
“Wherever you’ve been before leaves you very quickly behind because it’s like moving into a fairytale – being surrounded by that much nature is good for the soul.
“The amount of wildlife that surrounds the property – it’s just like a fairytale.”
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The sprawling estate was originally built as the Wheatsheaf Hotel in 1842 but was later purchased by agricultural legend George Goyder in 1879, who renamed it Warrakilla.
The history-rich home has been given a wow-factor reno.
The property is ideally suited to family living.
The stables are befitting to the property’s character and charm.
The idea of a weekender quickly fell by the wayside as the couple put their roots down and embraced Hills living full-time.
“We’ve lived in the home for almost six years and we’ve added our own little touches and that little bit extra to take our family home to the next level – we believe we’ve added the extra the home deserved,” Gemma says.
“I feel very grateful to have been able to raise our young family on the property. We arrived with three young children and left with four. I never had to take the kids to the park because our property was the park – the kids could ride their bikes, kick the ball, ride the pony, feed the chickens, go to the orchard and just explore – it was our complete haven.”
MORE NEWS: ‘It will set a record along the whole coast’
The 762 Strathalbyn Rd home sits on an 18ha allotment and was built as the Wheatsheaf Hotel in 1842 and later purchased by agricultural legend George Goyder in 1879, who renamed it Warrakilla.
He then commissioned Adelaide architect Daniel Garlick to build his dream home, which was completed in 1883.
It was then purchased in 1923 by Richard Crafter, who planted about 10 acres of prize-winning tobacco on the site – SA’s first tobacco plantation – but all his bushes were later attacked by disease and had to be destroyed.
It has subsequently been given a breathtaking transformation and now offers six bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, a cellar, a covered terrace, an infinity pool and spa; and stables.
The main living space is modern and open-plan.
The kitchen and dining space features country charm.
The home has six bedrooms.
One of the more formal living spaces.
“It’s the perfect place for any birthday and Christmas,” Gemma says.
“I’ve got a very large family – my immediate family is almost 30 people – so it obviously calls for people to come over and for kids to play and explore, and there’s enough space to not have people on top of each other,” Gemma says.
“We have absolutely loved it here and feel proud to have been a part of its rich history. You really do get four distinct seasons here – there’s always something different to look at, it’s beautiful.
“The property offers so many possibilities and it can really be anything you make it.”
Selling agent Arabella Hooper of Harris Real Estate said she expected the home to set a new record – not only for Mylor but the Adelaide Hills – when it sells.
The most expensive home in the Hills is a lavish estate in Aldgate, akin to a five-star resort, which sold for $7m in 2023.
Meanwhile, Mylor’s suburb record was set in 2019 when Warrakilla last sold for $4.3m.
“It should set a new record but you never know at the moment. But on paper it should. That’s the hope,” Ms Hooper said.
“It’s one of those properties where everything is done. You can just move in.
“Usually, when these types of homes come up, they need some work, a good renovation as someone may have owned it for 20 years.
“But this one is different. It’s an iconic property and everything has been done. You just don’t get a lot of houses like this one.”
English (US) · 